Here Are The 50 Highest-Paid Athletes In The World Right Now…

The perks of being a top athlete are many – travelling all over the world is usually a given, you get a legion of devoted fans and you get to experience the highs of winning games. Oh and then there’s all those millions you’ll accumulate in your bank account! The highest-paid athletes in the world are insanely rich, and their bank balances will make you wish you gave a little more effort in your PE lessons. However, even among the top 50 highest earners in the sports world, there’s quite a big difference between what the athlete at number 50 gets paid and what the number one highest paid athlete in the entire world gets paid.

With a combination of their salaries and the endorsement deals they’ve made with top brands, the highest-earning athletes are very, very rich indeed. And no matter how high their net worth is, they always want to be just a little bit richer. Get to know 2017’s highest-paid professional athletes, and you may just be in for some surprises…

50. Dwight Howard – $27.2 Million

Basketball player, Dwight Howard is the 17th highest-earning NBA player! He also gets paid several millions in endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas. His salary and endorsement deals combined, Howard makes an incredible $27.2 million a year! In 2016, he decided not to go ahead with the last year of his four-year $88 million contract with the Houston Rockets, and instead started playing for the Atlanta Hawks where he has a three-year $70.5 million contract.

NEXT: This MLB player rejected an offer of hundreds of millions of dollars!

Albert Pujols is a Major League Baseball player who shocked baseball fans all over the country when he rejected an offer from the Miami Marlins who wanted him to start a $300 million contract with them!

49. Albert Pujols – $27.3 Million

Pujols decided he’d much rather play for the Los Angeles Angels, and he did indeed sign on for a 10-year $254 million deal with the Angels. However, if you’re thinking that’s because “he’s not in if for the money”, you’re wrong – he moved to the LA Angels from the Cardinals where he “only” had a $200 million deal. Do the math…

NEXT: He’s number one on the Official World Golf Ranking. This is how much he’s paid…

Televised golf is definitely not as popular these days as it was in the past, but some of the best players still manage to rake in millions of dollars!

48. Dustin Johnson – $27.6 Million

Dustin Johnson is currently ranked number one on the Official World Golf Ranking so it’s no wonder he’s so filthy rich. He’s currently dating fellow golfer, Paulina Gretzky. The subject of golf must have been a great conversation starter being that they’re both pro golfers and all. And there’s just so much to talk about when it comes to golf – the golf clubs, the hole… so much…

NEXT: This guy earns more than any other NFL defensive player!

Von Miller is a linebacker for the Denver Broncos in the NFL, and in 2016, he started earning loads more than he ever had been before…

47. Von Miller – $28.1 Million

In 2016, Von Miller signed a deal with the Denver Broncos that ultimately made him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL ever! And how much was the deal worth? A whopping $114,500,000!

NEXT: Do you know who the Boston Celtics’ highest earner is?

Dominican-born NBA player plays for the Boston Celtics, and has worked very hard for the team ever since he was signed…

46. Al Horford – $28.2 Million

He used to play for the Atlanta Hawks where he’d played since the beginning of his career in 2007. He loved playing for the Atlanta Hawks, so it took quite a bit of persuasion to get him to change teams, but I’m sure the money helped! He has the highest salary of all his Boston Celtics peers, and for good reason! His skills on the court are incredible…

NEXT: Here’s another talented basketball player for you…

Blake Griffin is one of the LA Clippers’ most talented players, and he has certainly been rewarded for it…

45. Blake Griffin – $28.3 Million

Griffin has all kinds of endorsement partners including Nike, Subway and Powerbar! It’s actually no wonder he has so much dough…

NEXT: No New Orleans Pelicans has earned more than this guy…

Since 2012, Anthony Davis has been playing for the New Orleans Pelicans, and is definitely one of their star players…

44. Anthony Davis – $28.4 Million

In fact, Davis has earned more than any other play in the history of the New Orleans Pelicans…

NEXT: Meet one of the highest-paid boxers in the world…

Canelo Avarez is one of the highest-paid boxers in the world right now! He’s also the highest-paid Mexican athlete…

43. Canelo Alvarez – $28.5 Million

The 26-year-old is a two-weight world champion, and has soared in success in recent years, beating all kinds of records and winning all kinds of accolades. He started his boxing career when he was only 15-years-old so he’s been at it a pretty long time!

NEXT: This guy’s the highest-paid player in the NBA…

Mike Conley is currently the highest-paid NBA player, and plays for the Memphis Grizzlies…

42. Mike Conley – $28.6 Million

Mike Conley has dedicated his whole life to the Memphis Grizzlies! For one thing he’s played with them for his entire NBA career, and the team is such a big part of his life that he even bought a mansion just 30 minutes away from the Memphis Grizzlies’ arena. His loyalty knows no bounds, and is probably the reason he was rewarded with such an incredible deal.

NEXT: In 2013, this man was the highest-paid pitcher, but just how much was he paid?

Justin Verlander is an MLB pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, and playing for the team has made him rich as hell…

41. Justin Verlander – $28.8 Million

In 2013, Verlander became richer than ever when he signed a $180 million deal making him the highest-paid pitcher at the time.

NEXT: He’s the most famous Scottish tennis player in the world, and this is how much he’s paid…

Sir Andy Murray is undeniably a very talented tennis player. He’s won three grand slam tournaments, and he’s even an Olympic gold medalist!

40. Sir Andy Murray – $28.9 Million

In 2013, Murray became the first British person to win Wimbledon in 77 years! So, you can imagine what a victory that was for Great Britain. Andy’s also Britain’s sixth richest athlete!

NEXT: He’s one of the NFL’s top earners, and recently signed a new deal…

Stephon Gilmore is an NFL player who used to play for the Buffalo Bills, and now plays for New England Patriots. He has been playing for the team since 2017…

39. Stephon Gilmore – $29.3 Million

Gilmore played for the Buffalo Bills for five years, and then decided it was time for a change. And so early in 2017, he signed a five-year $65,000,000 deal with the New England Patriots making him one of the NFL’s highest-paid cornerbacks.

NEXT: This wealthy NBA player is also a recent Olympic gold medalist…

Aussie-born American basketball pro, Kyrie Irving is an NBA player for the Cleveland Cavaliers…

38. Kyrie Irving – $29.9 Million

Irving signed an astonishing five-year $94,343,126 contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but that certainly isn’t his only accomplishment! He also has an Olympic gold medal under his belt from the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio.

NEXT: Find out how this baseball player made the biggest commitment in the history of the sport…

Venezuelan baseball player, Miguel Cabrera is the first baseman for the Detroit Tigers…

37. Miguel Cabrera – $30.3 Million

In 2014, Cabrera agreed on a 10-year $292 million contract! This was the longest, highest paid contract in the history of baseball.

NEXT: Meet the highest-paid pitcher in the history of baseball…

David Price is a baseball player, and is currently the pitcher for the Boston Red Sox…

36. David Price – $30.6 Million

After Price signed a seven-year $217 million contract with the Red Sox, he became the highest-paid pitcher ever.

NEXT: Which player does the LA Clippers pay more than any other player?

Chris Paul plays basketball for the Los Angeles Clippers, and has been doing a fine job since he joined the team!

35. Chris Paul – $30.9 Million

In fact, Chris Paul’s salary is the highest out of any player in the LA Clippers’ history!

NEXT: Any idea who the highest-paid safety in the NFL is?

All the way back in 2010, Eric Berry was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, a decision he certainly hasn’t come to regret…

34. Eric Berry – $31.1 Million

Early in 2017, a deal was being negotiated with Berry, a deal that would have seen him become highest-paid safety in the NFL, and in February he did indeed sign the contract.

NEXT: Guess which talented tennis player comes in at number 36!

Rafael Nadal is a household name, and is one of the most successful tennis players of all time…

33. Rafael Nadal – $31.5 Million

In terms of the highest-paid tennis players of all time, Nadal comes in at number two! Any idea who comes in at number one?

NEXT: Which player is paid more to play for the Toronto Raptors than any other player?

Demar DeRozan plays professional basketball for the Toronto Raptors, and was drafted back in 2009…

32. Demar DeRozan – $31.6 Million

Did you know that DeRozan’s salary is the highest of any Tornto Raptor player in its history?

NEXT: And the highest -paid wide receiver in the NFL is…

Antonio Brown is an NFL player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and is a very well-respected player in the team…

31. Antonio Brown – $31.9 Million

Brown became the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL after agreeing to a five-year contract in 2017.

NEXT: Who’s the highest-paid soccer player in the Premier League?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is originally from Sweden, plays soccer for English club, Manchester United…

30. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – $32 Million

Because Ibrahimovic is such a phenomenal player, in 2017, LA Galaxy tried to offer him a deal that would have made him the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer. He is currently the highest-paid player in the Premier League.

NEXT: Check out how much this top NFL player gets paid…

Carmelo Anthony is one the NFL’s most highest-paid players ever…

29. Carmelo Anthony – $32.6 Million

In 2014, Anthony signed a five-year $124 million contract making him one of the wealthiest basketball players in the world.

NEXT: Who is Major League Baseball’s highest-paid player?

Clayton Kershaw is an MLB player for the Los Angeles Dodgers…

28. Clayton Kershaw – $33.3 Million

Kershaw is also Major League Baseball’s highest-paid player! The LA Dodgers are lucky to have him…

NEXT: No-one gets paid more than this Defense Tackle…

Fletcher Cox plays professional football for the Philadelphia Eagles…

27. Fletcher Cox – $33.4 Million

As of 2016, he’s the second highest-paid Defensive Tackle which is obviously an incredible achievement!

NEXT: Do you know who Japan’s best tennis player is?

Kei Nishikori is one of the best tennis players in Japan, and his huge paychecks are evidence of that…

26. Kei Nishikori – $33.9 Million

In fact, he was ranked number nine by the Association of Tennis Professionals, and so it’s no surprise that he’s paid the amount he is!

NEXT: This boxing megastar earns this incredible amount…

Conor McGregor is an Irish Mixed Martial Artist and boxer, and general Jack-of-all-trades…

25. Conor McGregor – $34 Million

McGregor is the highest-paid boxer on the UFC roster, and arguably the most talented…

NEXT: Which soccer star hasn’t had the best of luck recently?

He’s one of the highest-paid soccer players right now, however, this could be about to change…

24. Gareth Bale – $34 Million

Bale only had 27 La Liga starts this season after a few soccer-related injuries. Because of this, his six-year contract extension with Real Madrid which was supposed to run until 2021 may end up not happening.

NEXT: Guess how much the fastest man in the world gets paid…

Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt is one of the most respected and revered Olympians the world has ever seen…

23. Usain Bolt – $34.2 Million

Usain Bolt has accumulated a whopping nine gold medals in the Olympics! And to think he gets paid all those millions just for running, something which must be a cinch for the world’s fastest man!

NEXT: The eye-watering amount this Knicks player gets paid!

Derrick Rose plays basketball for the New York Knicks, and they certainly don’t regret hiring him…

22. Derrick Rose – $34.3 Million

Rose used to play for the Bulls, but now with the Knicks, earns more than ever before…

NEXT: He’s one of the best golfers of our generation, and his paycheck proves it…

Jordan Spieth is a pro golfer on the PGA tour, and before Dustin Johnson, was number one in the Official World Golf Ranking…

21. Jordan Spieth – $34.5 Million

He’s no longer number one, but he’s still the higher paid out of the two…

NEXT: He was the youngest-ever Grand Prix winner, but that’s not his only accomplishment…

Spanish Formula One driver, Fernando Alonso is a two-time world champion, and as of now races for McLaren-Honda.

20. Fernando Alonso – $36 Million

At the age of 19, Alonso became the youngest person to compete in Formula One. And then when he was only 22-years-old, he became the youngest ever Grand Prix winner. He’s been in the sport a long time – he’s a veteran, and they know best to pay him like one.

NEXT: Find out why this former Heats player is glad he moved over to the Chicago Bulls…

Dwayne Wade is an NBA player for the Chicago Bulls, where he continues to have success after success…

19. Dwayne Wade – $36.2 Million

When Wade played for the Heats, he certainly wasn’t the highest-paid player, but now that he plays for the Bulls, he’s been given a delicious pay rise! In fact, he’s 2017’s sixth most highest-paid NBA player.

NEXT: Who was the highest-paid soccer player in the world last year?

Neymar is one of Brazil’s biggest and best soccer players, and currently plays as a forward for Spanish soccer club, FC Barcelona…

18. Neymar – $37 Milliom

He’s one of the highest-earning soccer players in the world. And why wouldn’t he be? He’s certainly one of the most accomplished players in soccer! By the age of 21, he’d won four Player Of The Year awards!

NEXT: He’s a controversial figure and the most successful golfer in the world…

We all know that Tiger Woods cheated on his wife with a series of hot blonde ladies, and that he’s a pretty good golfer, but just how good a golfer is he? In other words, what are they willing to pay him?

17. Tiger Woods – $37.1 Million

In 2016, Rory McIlroy earned more than Tiger Woods, but then again Woods is getting further and further into his forties, and he’s still rich as hell!

NEXT: This tennis player earned the biggest amount in prize money in just one season…

Novak Djokovic is one of the most talented tennis players of our generation…

16. Novak Djokovic – $37.6 Million

The Serbian-born tennis star is currently number four in the men’s singles in tennis. And did you know that he was the first tennis player to earn $20 million in prize money for one season?

NEXT: No-one in the NBA earns more than this guy, well, except one other person…

Damian Lillard is an NBA basketball player who currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers..

15. Damian Lillard – $38.4 Million

In the summer of 2016, Lillard became second highest-paid player in the history of the NBA, which is obviously an insane accomplishment.

NEXT: He’s won the Formula One World Chamption FOUR times…

Sebastian Vettel is a German racing Formula One driver, and currently drives in a Scuderia Ferrari. He’s also a four-time Formula One World champion…

14. Sebastian Vettel – $38.5 Million

In 2014, he signed a three year contract which is currently the biggest Formula One contract, and Vettel is paid about $40 million every year.

NEXT: This NBA player could become the highest-paid in the league…

Russell Westbrook is an NBA basketball player for Oklahoma City Thunder…

13. Russell Westbrook – $38.6 Million

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook could become the highest paid player in NBA history this summer.

NEXT: Which golfer is now paid more than Tiger Woods?

Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods are still padding their wallets, even as they enter the latter stages of their career.

12. Phil Mickelson – $43.5 Million

Phil Mickelson overtook Tiger Woods as golf’s highest-paid player on the latest Forbes list of highest-paid athletes in the world.

NEXT: You’ll be stunned at just how much this top NFL player earns!

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is one of the highest-paid athletes, according to Forbes, but he is not the highest-paid NFL player for 2017.

11. Drew Brees – $45.3 Million

Brees ranked 11th in the world and second among NFL players in combined salary and endorsement earnings for 2017, with a total income of $45.3 million that included $31.3 million in salary and $14 million in endorsement income.

NEXT: He used to date Nicole Scherzinger, but that certainly isn’t his biggest achievement…

Lewis Hamilton has become the highest paid Brit in sport in history by signing a £100 million contract to stay at Mercedes for three more years.

10. Lewis Hamilton – $46 Million

The man’s always winning Formula One world titles so it’s no wonder Mercedes are desperate to keep him for as long as possible!

NEXT: Why this basketball legend is totally in LOVE with Adidas…

James Harden may not have a championship ring, but the Houston Rockets star is doing pretty well in the financial department.

9. James Harden – $46.6 Million

Adidas has vowed to invest more money in basketball, and their first big move is a monster shoe endorsement offer made to James Harden of the Houston Rockets that could make him one of the 25 highest-paid athletes in the world.

NEXT: Which NBA star went from being underpaid to being the eighth highest earner?

For the longest time, Stephen Curry was one of the most underpaid players in the NBA, not now though…

8. Stephen Curry – $47.3 Million

Curry is such a phenomenal player that various teams in the NBA are desperate to sign the star!

NEXT: Which golfer earns more than both Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer?

Meet the golfer who puts every other top golfer to shame…

7. Rory McIlroy – $50 Million

In 2017, Rory McIlroy topped the list of the highest-paid golfers. He beat out Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer to grab the top spot to start 2017.

NEXT: No player in the NFL is paid more than this guy…

Andrew Luck has achieved quite a bit since he started his career in the NFL…

6. Andrew Luck – $50.1 Million

Andrew Luck is the NFL’s highest-paid player after agreeing a six-year, $140 million contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts.

NEXT: He already has one of the biggest NBA salaries, and is hoping to earn even more…

Kevin Durant’s 2017 salary is the highest of any player in Golden State Warriors history. In fact, his salary is now about 20% more than it was in 2015!

5. Kevin Durant – $60.6 Million

Kevin Durant, one of the NBA’s highest-paid players, could sign an even bigger contract after the 2017 NBA Finals.

NEXT: This tennis player has been paid the most every year for a decade!

Roger Federer has been a staple at the US Open for nearly two decades. He won the US Open junior title in 1998 and appeared in the main draw every year…

4. Roger Federer – $64 Million

It probably comes as no surprise to you that Federer is the highest-paid tennis player in the world right now! In fact, he’s been the top-earner in tennis every year for a whole decade now!

NEXT: The man with an insane $80 million paycheck!

In 2016, Barcelona FC’s president, Josep Maria, estimated that Lionel Messi would become the highest paid soccer star in the world with his new contract with the club…

3. Lionel Messi – $80 Million

Well, he wasn’t quite right because as you will soon see, there’s another soccer player who has taken the top spot. However, $80 million is still an eye-watering amount of money by pretty much everyone’s standards…

NEXT: No basketball player earns more than this guy right now…

Deals with the likes of McDonald’s, Nike and Coco-Cola have helped to see this guy become the most wealthy basketball player in the world…

2. LeBron James – $86.2 Million

It took a retirement of an NBA legend for LeBron James to become the top-earning basketball player. Indeed, when Kobe Bryant quit shooting hoops in 2016, James took his spot as the highest-paid NBA players.

NEXT: Find who is the highest-paid athlete in the entire world…

For four whole years in a row, this guy has been the top earner in soccer!

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – $93 Million

This is also the second time in a row that the Barcelona FC forward has been the highest-paid athlete in the entire world!